Remembering Acadian – Krista McAllister, 2003

I had the most wonderful experience with Acadian on one of our last evenings on Sable. I was alone on a dune writing in my log and felt a presence behind me. I wasn't sure what to do, so did nothing.

In August 1988, Krista McAllister, with a fellow student from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (Truro NS), spent two weeks on Sable Island studying the horses. During their project they monitored the activities of several family bands on the western quarter of the island. Among the horses studied was Acadian, a bright chestnut stallion with a ginger-red mane and tail.

In December 2003, Krista McAllister visited the Green Horse Society website and shared the following recollection:

“It was truly one of the most memorable places and events I have ever experienced. I had the most wonderful experience with Acadian on one of our last evenings there. We hadn’t approached him during our study, but on this night I was alone on a dune writing in my log and felt a presence behind me. I had been watching the mares and didn’t notice Acadian anywhere. He had come up behind me and nuzzled my hair, sniffing me all over. Wasn’t sure what to do, so did nothing. After the inspection was over, he just kept his nose on my shoulder for about ten minutes. It was a moment I will remember always. Still makes the hair on my neck stand up when I think about it.”

Krista completed her studies at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and now lives and works in Northern Alberta.

Acadian died in 1992. He had been a band stallion for over ten years. While paternity can not be determined based on field observations, it is quite likely that Acadian sired some, if not all, of the many foals born in his group during his tenure.

Image above: Sable Island stallion Acadian foraging in a freshwater pond near West Light. Photo Zoe Lucas.

The Beginning of a Memorable Partnership – Bob Dykes, 2017

In 1971, Bob Dykes flew to Sable Island to meet Henry James and his research team conducting behavioural studies of the island’s Harbour Seal population. Bob worked with the crew as they collected data on seals who were crossing the wide and featureless Sandy Plain, and spent lively evenings in the Aframe (a field camp constructed by the James Gang) discussing data and theories of animal navigation.

David Millar, 1967-1969

In May 1967, David Millar, fresh out of training in Toronto and Ottawa, arrived at his first posting, Sable Island. Outside of work at the weather station, David took an interest in the island’s environment and spent a lot of time walking and exploring, and developed two hobbies which he still enjoys – bird watching and photography. During his two summers, David occasionally assisted Dalhousie University’s Ian McLaren and his students in their studies of the Ipswich Sparrow.

Full Circle

In December 1963, Gordon LeBlanc began a one-year posting on Sable Island as a meteorological technician with MSC’s aerology program. The work was largely routine, with twice-daily launches of the upper air balloon and making detailed observations and measurements around the clock. On work days, there was little time to explore the island, so on a day off, station personnel might pack a sandwich and go for a long walk, or in the spring and summer ride their dependable horses, Rawin and Trigger.

Merlin MacAulay 1955-1956

In May 1955, after completing the 16-week course at the Upper Air Training School in Toronto, and then serving a few months in Sept-Îles, Quebec, Merlin MacAulay travelled to Sable Island on the government ship Lady Laurier to work as an upper air technician for the MSC. During Merlin’s stay, Fred Davis and a National Film Board of Canada crew visited to made a short documentary about Sable Island.

Win Trips to Sable Island with Kattuk Expeditions, 2023

A Sable Island Institute fundraising raffle for seats on a helicopter day-trip to Sable Island in early October 2023.

Now, it is about so much more – Lauren Hughes, February 2023

As we walked the network of horse trails… I was captivated by beetles, spiders, and the tiny sweat bee – newly recognizing the critical role that all of these creatures play in the island’s ecosystem.